Careers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell

General Summary of Position:

The School of Criminology and Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate.  The position will conduct research as part of a US Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative grant “Machine-Moderated Moral Injury: Exploring the Double-Edged Sword of Algorithmic Decision-Making in National Security” under the supervision of Associate Professor Neil D. Shortland. This is an interdisciplinary research project that involves PI and Co-PIs from Psychology, Criminal Justice, Robotics, Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Philosophy. We are open to individuals from any of these disciplines. The eventual candidate will be expected to work across multiple project strands that will cover all these disciplines.

Duties will include conducting and coordinating research activities associated with the funded project, protected research time for the associate’s own research trajectory, and service in the School of Criminology and Justice Studies and wider University’s initiatives related to Artificial Intelligence and National Security. 

Essential Job Duties:

Working on Research Projects:

• Coordinating data collection activities and schedules for the research team
• Conducting required data-collection and analysis activities
• Ensuring project-related activities are conducted on time and to the highest standard
• Prepare quarterly status reports and deliverables in collaboration with the project’s staff and under the direction of the Principal Investigators
• Liaising between department, college research support, funding agency, and collaborating investigators within the University of Massachusetts Lowell Manning School of Business, Department of Robotics and Department of Philosophy.
• Ensuring all deliverables are delivered on time and to the highest standard.
• Engaging with the funding agencies project managers and ensuring they are continually updated and fully aware of all project-related activities.

Take a lead role in developing independent research:

• The position will have protected independent research time where they are expected to identify, conduct, and publish independent research in their area of specialization.

This will involve:

• Identifying relevant funding agencies, and sourcing relevant calls for research
• Developing research ideas
• Conducting empirical research on human-computer interaction to bring those ideas to fruition
• Supporting, writing and submitting white papers and proposals to secure funding

Other Job Duties:

• The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be expected to perform other activities related to the development of the department and future collaborative research projects.
• At the request of the Associate, teaching duties are available.
• All the above activities will be done alongside and under the mentorship and supervision of the Project leadership team.
• This role will involve occasional national and international travel that may involve overnight or day travel.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

Education:

• Ph.D. in hand at the time of employment in psychology, criminal justice, robotics, human-computer interaction, security studies, science and technology studies, or a related discipline.

Experience:

• A track record of research in empirical research or a related field/discipline
• Experiencing preparing conference presentations/posters and journal articles
• Workshop and/or meeting organization skills

Skills:

• Autonomy
• Critical thinking
• Ability to work as a team player
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills

Additional Considerations:

• The position of Postdoctoral Research Associate is tied to a DOD funded project and will involve working under pressure to strict deadlines. Position is contingent on funding.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only current UML Employees within the Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

This is a Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit position.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.   

This position is contingent upon funding. The initial appointment will be for a period of two years contingent upon productivity, successful performance, and the availability of funding. 

Please include a CV, cover letter, and statement of research interest (2 page maximum). Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.